Chapter XXI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

for a short time

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

in a brisk manner

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

an administrative unit of government

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

a half of an hour

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading IN WHICH MR.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Monday morning.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

plural of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading It was Monday morning.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was Monday morning.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

a form of address for a man

From this reading IN WHICH MR.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

past form of “plump” — drop sharply

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

compacted by ironing

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

inflected form of “shy” — start suddenly, as from fright

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

someone skilled in the transcription of speech (especially dictation)

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

plural of “subordinate” — an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

very small

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

large in volume or bulk

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IN WHICH MR.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He spent a half-hour issuing instructions by word of mouth and telephone to subordinates in various offices of the Detective Bureau, studied briefly a number of reports which a stenographer placed before him and finally pressed one of a row of buttons on his desk.

third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading MICHAELS WRITES A LETTER For the first time in a week Inspector Queen was genuinely himself as he strode cheerfully into his tiny office at the headquarters building and shied his coat at a chair.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading He rubbed his hands, hummed “The Sidewalks of New York,” as he plumped down at his desk and briskly ran through his voluminous mail and reports.